Amber Laudermilk from Texas is accused of abusing a corpse
Warning: contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find distressing
A mortuary worker has been charged with allegedly abusing the corpse of a convicted sex offender.
Amber Laudermilk, a former embalmer at Memorial Mortuary & Crematory in Houston, Texas, is facing shocking accusations after allegedly castrating a deceased body. The body in question belonged to Charles Roy Rodriguez, a 58-year-old convicted sex offender who passed away from natural causes at a Houston hospital in January of this year, according to The Mirror. After Rodriguez’s body was brought to the mortuary, Laudermilk is accused of abusing it in a disturbing act.
In 2001, Charles Roy Rodriguez was convicted of sexually assaulting a 31-year-old woman, resulting in his lengthy prison sentence. Court records reveal that his body arrived at Memorial Mortuary & Crematory on February 7, following his death from natural causes in January.
Once Laudermilk discovered Rodriguez’s criminal history, she allegedly took matters into her own hands. Witnesses claim to have seen the 34-year-old embalmer use a scalpel to mutilate his body, reportedly stabbing his groin twice before severing his penis and placing it in his mouth.
Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “No matter what one thinks of his life, the law requires that he be treated with dignity in death.” He continued, “This case is about two troubled individuals: the victim, a registered sex offender, and the defendant, accused of viciously attacking his lifeless body.”
Amber Laudermilk, a former embalmer at Memorial Mortuary & Crematory in Houston, Texas, has been charged with felony abuse of a corpse after allegedly mutilating the body of Charles Roy Rodriguez, a registered sex offender who died in January. Laudermilk has been granted a $5,000 bond and is awaiting her next hearing on May 13.
In a statement, Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen expressed empathy for victims of sexual assault while acknowledging the gravity of Laudermilk’s alleged actions. “I don’t know the suspect’s past, but we have the utmost empathy for anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault or is the family or friend of someone who has been the victim of a sexual assault,” Rosen said. He further emphasized that the facts suggest Laudermilk was angry and urged that she receive help after the case is resolved.
Charging documents reveal that two employees at the mortuary witnessed the crime. One witness, an embalming student, recalled Laudermilk telling them, “You didn’t see anything,” in a manner perceived as threatening. The second witness reported noticing Rodriguez’s disfigured groin, which Laudermilk allegedly covered with a towel. When asked about the injury, Laudermilk allegedly responded that the deceased had “a lot going on with him.”
After a complaint was filed with local authorities on February 19, the Texas Funeral Service Commission suspended Laudermilk’s embalmer license. Laudermilk surrendered to authorities and is currently in custody at Harris County Jail.
